Christmas at the Museum
A festive evening of music, making, and community
On December 12, 2025, the Mathews Museum opened its doors for the First Annual Christmas at the Museum, and the evening quickly became something special—warm, creative, and filled with the unmistakable spirit of community.
Visitors stepped in from the cold, many stopping by while shopping at the Night Market just down the street, and were welcomed by the smell of hot cocoa and cookies and the joyful sounds of Christmas music drifting through the galleries.
At the heart of the evening was making. Children gathered around tables to create Christmas ornaments and imaginative snow globes using repurposed jars and old toy figurines. Each snow globe became its own tiny world, traveling wherever its creator’s imagination led. Many children stayed for long stretches of time, deeply focused on developing their creations—experimenting, rebuilding, and proudly sharing the results.
The magic wasn’t just for kids. Grownups found themselves drawn into the activity as well, rolling up their sleeves and making snow globes of their own, sharing ideas and laughter across generations.
Music wove through the museum all evening. Carolers sang classic Christmas songs accompanied by the museum’s pump organ, filling the space with a timeless holiday sound. At one point, the music carried down the street—prompting people to come inside, including a visitor who arrived with a violin after hearing the caroling and joined in on the spot.
Throughout the museum, guests explored exhibits, paused to warm up, and lingered among Mathews County history in a new seasonal light. One of the evening’s sweetest highlights was watching fresh cotton candy being spun and handed out to visitors, delighting children and adults alike.
Christmas at the Museum was everything we hoped it would be: creative, welcoming, and full of joy. What began as a new idea became a night where neighbors gathered, strangers became collaborators, and the museum felt alive in a special holiday way.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make our first Christmas at the Museum such a memorable success. We look forward to growing this celebration into a beloved annual tradition and welcoming you back next year.
